Fuse and switch box



Oct, 27, 1931. C;- DRlEST I 1,829,214

FUSE AND SWITCH BOX Filed March 9, M329 INVENTOR Patented oct. 27, 1931 i i i. 1,829,214

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cHAnLns nnIEs'r, or nxmono, Naw JERSEY s rusa AND swrrcn .nox

A Appunti@ mea umn 9,1929'. semi no. 345,689.

. This invention relates to combination Fig. 1 is a front view of a box or case made switch and fuse boxes for controlling electric according to my invention. circuits and principally the feed circuit to Fig. 2 is a front view of the box with the electric meters; and the object of the invencover removed. l

5 tion is to provide a box of the class specified Fig. 3 is a cross section of the box on the 55 which is so constructed as to prevent unauline 3-3 of Fig. 1. thorized parties from tapping into the elec- Fig. 1 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. trical feed lines enterin a building of any Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of a part kindl or class and whic is provided with ofthe construction shown in Fig. 3; and,

1 means for indicating interference with or an Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line 6-6 6,0

attempt to use the current in an unauthorized of Fig. 3. way; a further object being to provide means In carrying iny invention into effect, I proexternally of the box for moving the switch vide a box or casing comprising a box memintoopen and closed circuit positions with ber consisting of back and side wall memmeans for retaining the switch in the closed bers, the side wall members having a plural- C5 circuit position; a further object being to ity of knock out plugs 10a to permit the pasf provide means for ,quickly releasing said sage of'wires into and out of the box or the switch operating means to permit the quick coupling of tubes therewith, through which movement of the switch army in the operation the wires pass, two of the knock outs being go of breaking the circuit; a further object be removed, one on the top wall and the other` 70 ing to arrange within the box or casing an on the bottom wall. In the drawings, I have adjustable fuse supporting member with shown pipes 11 and12 coupled with the top means thereon for'supporting a plurality of and bottom walls respectively. It is also ,v independent fuses, and means arranged ex referred that the back wall be provided adternally of the box for actuating said member Jacent the top of the box with key-hole aper- 75,

-to move the respective fuses into operative tures 13 by means of which the box may be position to complete the circuit through the detachably secured to a suitable support, by Separate wires passed into and outwardly screws or other devices, the heads of which through the box, which circuit is controlled are arranged within the box as will be apby said switch; a further object being to proparent.

vide means whereby a new fuse may be re- I also provide a cover 14, the Walls of which placed for an old or burned out one Without overlie the side walls of the box 10 as clearly interfering with the seal or closure for the seen in Fig. 3. The cover is provided adjabox or casing; a still further object being to cent the upper end of the box withv a transprovide means for preventing the movement parent panel 15, and approximately centrall 85 0f the, fuse supporting members when the tllereOf With a depressed pOTtlOIl 14a WlliC switch is in operative or closed circuit posis apertured to receive a shaft as later detion; and with these and other objects in SCllbfld- All OPPOSlte SldGS 0f the 10W@ 8nd View. the invention consists in a device of Pf'tlm 0f the @over fire two Comparatwely 40 the class and for the purpose specified which large apertures 145 Whlchre norman Closed 90 is simple in construction, eflicient in use and by arc'shaped or hood'hke cover P tes 16 which is constructed as hereinafter described hugged t0 the .Cover as 58e. at ma. and claimed. Ihe cover 1s secured in positlon by two i The invention is fullv'disclosed in the folsC-rewg 17 and 18 the former Cooperatmg ,Ummm )eimtiou of 'which th a with a rod-l1ke support 17a secured to the I v 11' e .u'omlmny' bottom wall of the box, whereas the screw 18 mg drawings form a Part m Whlch the Sep asses through a bushin 18a secured to the arate parts ofany improvement are cle-'=ignatp n i n g cover 14, note Fig. 5, and is normally locked ed by suitable ref erence characters 1n each to the bushing by the Wire of a Seal 19 which of the views, and 1n which passes through apertures in the shank of the 10 screw and said bushing. The inner or threaded end of the screw en ages a rod 20 secured to the back wall of t le box 10, and slidabl mounted on said rod is a sleeve a i norma ly held in an outward position by a spring 21 and retained a ainst displacement 'by a screw 22 secured to t e rod 20 and operating in a cutout portion 20?) in the sleeve 20a.

' The sleeve 20a also carries a radially extendgg in arm in which is supported a plurality of radially arranged and inwardly proJecting pins 23, which arm is normally arranged at one side of an arc-shaped segment 24 adjustably supported upon a plate attached to ai the back wall of the box.

' The outer surface of the segment 24 is provided with a soft surface adapted to be scratched or marred by theV ins 23 -in the attempt of opening thebox a ter breaking the zo seal 19. The sleeve 20a is rotated in the operation of turning the screw 18 by virtue of the engagement of a pin 25a on the screw with a notched portion 20c on the outer -face of said sleeve. It will be understood that the 25 rotation of the sleeve 20a is limited by the dimensions of the cutout portion 201) but the movement is suflicient to operate the ins 23 over the entire surface Vof the mem r 24. The surface of this member is visible through 80 the trans arent panel 15 as seen in Figs'l and 3 of the rawings.

1t will be understood that the arm of the sleeve carrying the pins 23 will normally be at the right as seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings, so that in an attempt to release the screw 18, said arm will move to the left over the surface of the member 24, it being further understood that the ends of the pins 23 are normally in the plane of or below the plane of the outer surface of the member 24 so asto form grooves or ridges in said surface as indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

Supported in connection with the back wall of the box 10 is a frame 26 of insulating ma- 45 terial such as bakelite, hard rubber or libre,

` and this frame constitutes a unit, including the mechanism supported or arranged thereon, which is detachable as a unit with respect to the box 10. The upper end of the frame 26 is reduced, andv supported in connection with the sides thereof and on its front or outer face are two sets of spring terminals 27--27a, 28-28a. The circuit wires 29 and 29a'I which are adapted to extend to an electric meter or to any other electrical device through the pipe 11, are connected with the terminals 27 a, and 28a respectively as clearly seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Slidably mounted on two guide pins 30 projecting from the outer face of the frame 26 is a cross arm 31 composed of insulating material, the outer ends of the pins 30 being headed to limit the outward movement of the arm 31, and springs 30a are arranged on the pins to normally move the arm 31 outwardly to disengage switch bars 32 supported in connection with the endsof the arm 31 from the pairs of contacts 27-27a, E28-28a The arm 31 and bars 32 constitute a switch device for controlling the electric circuit to the wires 29 and 29a.

The central portion of the arm 31 is offset inwardly to form a yoke-shaped portion 31a to the central part of which is attached a shaft 33 which projects outwardly through the aperture in the inwardly pressed portion 14a of the cover 14, and to which is secured an operating knob 34 by means of a screw 34a.

Secured to the inwardly pressed portion 14a of the cover are inner and outer sleeves 35 and 36 coupled together by screws 37, the latter operating in cam grooves 38 in the tubular extension 39 of the knob 34, the outer ends of said cam grooves having straight locking portions 38a, note Fig. 4, so as to retain the knob 34 in its innermost position as seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the springs 30a supporting said knob in extended position as seen in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Rotatably mounted on the sleeve 36 adjacent the outer face of the cover 14 is a hand leyer 40 which is provided on its outer face with a plurality of projecting members 41 adapted to engage inwardly projecting teeth on a ring 42 attached to the inner surface of the knob 34, when the knob is in-the position shown in Fig. 3 so that in the upward movement of the lever 40 which projects beyond the peri hery of the knob as seen in Fig. 1,

said kno will be released and permitted to move into the position shown in Fig. 4 in a quick manner to prevent iiashing or arcing in the operation of breaking the circuit throu h the respective pairs of terminals 27--2 a, 28-28a in the movement of the bars 32 out of engagement therewith.

T he frame 26 includes two outwardly pro- ]ecting box-shaped members 43, both of which are of similar construction, and rotatably mounted in each of said projecting members and shafts 44 which set into recesses in the outer edges of the side walls of the casing 10 and are provided at their outer ends with knobs 45 by means of which said shafts may be rotated, the knobs being eight sided and alternate surfaces having arranged thereon the numerals 1 to 4 inclusive.

Secured to the shafts 44 within the boxshaped members 43 are fuse supporting drums 46 provided at equally'spaced points about the periphery thereof with four longitudinal bores in which four fuses 47 are adapted t'o be sup orted, the fuses being placed in position y slidable engagement with the drums from either side thereof when one bore is"`exposed beyond the outer surface of the cover 14 and when the hoods 16 are raised into open position.

It will be seen upon a consideration of Figs. 2, 3 and 6 of the drawings, that the fuses are the drums 46 are provided with outwardly contacts 27 and 28 respectively as c .being arrange extending rib-like projections 46a which act as dummies to take the place of the fuses to support the drums`46 in position with the .Lv fuses out of engagement with the contacts 49 as will be apparent.

It will be seen that the spring contacts 49 are U-shaped in form so as to `firmly gri and engage opposite surfaces of the termina ends of the fuses 47, one part of the contacts riding in the ooves 48 and the other art on the outer surfaces o the drums, the latter part having resilient properties, and the fuses are adapted to sna into these contacts as well as t 1c enlarge portions 46a.

The contacts 49 are all of the same eneral construction, and those arranged a jacent the inner ends'of the drums 46 include coupling plates and terminals 5() and 51 arranged in channel portions of the respective members 43, and with which circuit wires 52 and 53 from a suitable source passed into the casing 10 through the pipe 12 are coupled. In likemanner, the contacts 49 arranged adjacent the outer ends of the drums 46 include coupling plates or conductors 54 and 55 which extend to 4and are in circuit with the spring early seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

.Pivotaly suppor'cd in connection with one of the members 43 as seen at 56, no te Fig. 3, is al lock lever 57, one end of which includes spaccd'arms 58 arranged beneath the offset portion 31a of the arm 31 at opposite sides of the shaft 33, and the other end of said lever is arranged centrally of and between the members 43 and is provided with a U- shaped socket 59 in the recess of which the adjacent square ends of the shafts 44 are adapted to rest when the knob 34 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, so as to prevent the rotation of the drums 46 when the circuit` is completed through the terminals'27-27a, 28-28a. A spring 60 is provided to normally support the lever 57 in inoperative position when the ,i knob is extended as seen in Fi 4, or in other words, with the U-sha ed en 59 out of engagement with the sha ts 44.

The use and operation of my improved switch and fuse box will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following statement.

In the first place, the fuse drums 46 are filled with the fuses 47, and this result is accomplished when the knob 34 is in the position shownin Fig. 4 and with the hoodsk 16 in/raised position. Each bore or chamber in the drums 46 is'brought into position'externally of the cover 14 by the rotation of the knobs 45 and the fuse inserted until all four fuses are in posit-ion in each of said drums,-

afterwhich one of the fuses of each drum is brought into position to engage the separate pairs of contacts 49 in the members 43, the numbered surfaces of the knobs 45 guiding the operator in this operation, after which and assuming that the wires 29-Q9a, 52 and 53 have been coupled with their respective terminals, the knob 34 is rotated by hand to 1 move the switch bars 32into engagement with the separate pairs of contacts 27--27a, 28-

28a, thus placing the wires 52 and 53 in circuit with the wires 25J-29a through the respective fuses in the drums 46.

Should one of the fuses kburn out or become otherwise inoperative, the same may be replaced by first breaking the circuit in the operation of the switch which is accomplished by moving the lever 40 upwardly as hereinbefore stated,and the drum 46 havin the inoperative fuse-is rotated throughvits knob 45 to bring another fuse in position. At this time, if desired, the old inoperative fuse may be replaced by proceeding as in accordance with the original installation of the fuse.

With a structure of this type, it will be apparent that in addition to providing a storage for extra fuses, I provide means whereby a fuse may be replaced in any electric circuit in a quick, safe and practical nianner.

It will also be understood that by providing a casing or box of the class disclosed, Il also prevent tampering or interference with the main circuit wires coming from a source of supply and leading to the output, especially through a meter, means being provided for detecting unauthorized use or opening of the case. It will also beunderstood that the main mechanism of my improved switch and fuse uni c. may be insertable into and removed from the c asing proper as a unit, thus facilitating repair or replacement of parts should any of the parts become inoperative.

Vhile I have shown and described certain details of construction for carrying my invention into effect, 'it will be understood that I am not necessarily limited to these details, and various changes therein and modifications thereof may be made within the scopeof the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A switch device of the class described comprising a casing, means for admitting circuit feed and supply wii'es to the casing, a switch element within the casing and-comprising an elongated bar having switch blades disposed at the opposite end portions thereof adapted to open and close the circuit through said wires, tensional devices cooperating with the end portions of the bar to normally support the same in open circuit position, a knob arranged outwardly of the casingn and in operative engagement with said ar, and

means whereby the rotation of said knob in comprising a casing, means for admitting circuit feed and supply wires to the casing, a switch element within the casing and comprising an elongated bar having switch lades dis osed at the opposite end portions thereof a apted to open and close the circuit through said wires, tensional devices cooperatinfr with the end portions of the bar to norma lyl support the same in open circuit position, a knob arranged outwardly of the casing and in operative engagement with said bar, means whereby the rotation of said knob in one direction will move said bar and switch blades into closed circuit position and retain the same in such position a ainst the action of said tensional devices an whereb the rotation of the knob in the opposite irection will quickly release and move said bar and blades into open circuit position, and a lever cooperating with said knob in releasing the same.

8. A switch device of the class described comprising a casing, means for admitting circuit feed and supply wires to the casing, .a switch element within the casing and comprising a bar having switch blades disposed at the end portions thereof adapted to open and close the circuit through said wires, tensional devices cooperating with the end portions of the bar to normally support the same in open circuit position, a knob arranged outwardly of the casing and in operative engagement with said bar, means whereby the rotation of said knob in one direction will move said bar .and switch blades into closed circuit position and retain the` same in such position against the action of said tensional devices and whereby the rotation of the knob in the opposite direction will quickly release and move said bar and bladesV into open circuit position, and means for sealing the casing and detecting unauthorized opening of the casing comprising a screw and a marking member actuated in the rotation of said screw and movable relatively to a sensitive surface.

4. A switch device of the class described comprising a casing, means for admitting circuit feed and supply wires to the casing,

a switch element within the casing and comprising a bar having switch blades disposed at the end portions thereof adapted to open and close the circuit through said wires, tensional devices cooperatin with the end portions ofthe bar to normal y support the same in open circuit position, a knob arranged outwardly of the casing and in operative engagement with said bar, means whereby the rotation of said knob in one direction will move said bar and switch blades into closed circuit position and retain the same in such position against the action of said tensional devices and whereby the rotation of the knob in the opposite direction will quickly release and move said bar and blades into open circuit position, means for sealing the casing and detecting unauthorized opening of the casing comprising a screw and a marking member actuated in the rotation of said screw andmovable'relatively to a sensitive surface, and a sealed element arranged outwardl of the casing and normally preventing'tlie rotation of said screw.

5. A switch device of the class described comprising a casing, means for admitting circuit feed and supply wires to the casing, a switch element within the casing and comprising a bar having switch blades disposed at the end portions thereof adapted to open and close the circuit through said wires, tensional devices cooperating with the end porasl tions of the bar to normally support the same in open circuit position, a knob arrangedoutwardly of the casing and in operative engagement with said bar, means whereby the rotation of said knob in one direction will move said bar and switch blades into closed circuit position and reta-in the same in such position against the action of said tensional devices and whereby the rotation of the knob in the opposite direction will quickly release and move said bar and blades into open circuit position, means for sealing the casing and detecting unauthorized opening of the casing comprising a screw and a marking member actuated in the rotation of said screw and movable relatively to a sensitive surface, a sealed element arranged outwardly of the casing. and normally preventing the rotation of said screw, and a transparent panel in said casing rendering said sensitive surface visible when the casing is sealed.

6. A switch device of the class described comprising a casing, means for admitting circuit feed and supply wires to the casing, a switch element within the casing and comprising a bar having switch blades disposed at the end portions thereof adapted to open and close the circuit through said wires, tensional devices cooperating with the end portions of the bar to normally support the same rotation of said knob in one direction will move said bar and switch blades into closed circuit position and retain the same in such position a ainst the action of said tensional devices an whereby the rotation of the knob in the opposite direction will quickly release and move said bar and blades into open cir-y cuit position, two independently rotatable fuse supporting members mounted in said casing, portions of said members being exposed through one wall of the casing, means exposed through the casing for rotatin said' members, and the peripheral surfaces o said members having bores exposed through said surfaces and opposite sides of said members, fuses adapted to be assembled into said bores throu h one side thereof when ex sed ex ternay of the casing and retaine in osition by the cross sectional contour o the bores.

7. A switch device of the class described comprising a casing, means for admitting circuit feed and supply wires to the casing, a, switch element within the casin prising a bar having switch bla es disposed at the end poitions thereof adapted to open and close the'circuit through said wires, tensional devices cooperating with the end portions of the bar to normalllynsupport the same in open circuit position, a ob arranged outwardly of the casing and in operative engagement with said bar, means whereby the rotation of said knob in one direction will move said bar and switch blades into closed circuit osition and retain the same in such position a ainst the action of said tensional devices an whereby the rotation of the knob in the opposite direction will quickly release and move said bar and blades into open circuit position, two independently rotatable fuse supporting members mounted in said casing, portions of said members being exposed through one wall of the casing, means exposed through the casing for rotating said members, the peripheral surfaces of said members having bores exposed through said surfaces and opposite sides of said members, fuses adapted to be assembled into said bores through one side thereof when ex osed external y of the casing and retaine in osition by the cross sectional contour o the bores, and means cooperating with the switch bar and said fuse su porting members for retaining said mem ers against rotation when the switch bar is in closed circuit position.

8. A circuit control of the class described comprising a casing, means whereby circuit feed and supply wires may be extended into said casing, a switch element for controlling the circuit through said wires, fuse support ing members, the fuses of which control the circuit through said wires, said fuse supporting members comprising cylindrical bodies independently rotatable in the casing and having longitudinal bores ex sed through the side ed es and outer perip eral surface of said mem ers, the arrangement of said members in the casing being such as to expose externall of the casing at least one of said bores, se devices adapted to be placed in said bores from the exterior of the -casing, and spring contacts arranged within the casing and in circuit with said wiresl and ada ted' to engage the terminal ends of gpc of t e devices in each supporting mem- V9. A circuit control of the class describedv comprising a casing, means whereby circuit feed and supply wires-may be extended into said casing, a switch element for controlling the circuit through said wires, fuse supporting members, the fuses of which control the circuit through said wires, said fuse su porting members comprising cylindrical odies in ependently rotatable in the casing and havin longitudinal bores exposed through the si e edges and outer peripherall surfaces of said members, the arrangement of said l members in the casing being such as to expose externally of the casing at least one of said bores, fuse devices adapted to be placed in said bores from the exterior ofthe casing, spring contacts arranged within the casing and in circuit with said wires and adapted to engage the terminal ends of one of the devices in each supporting member, and the side walls of said supportin members having tgrotoves to receive parts o said spring conac s.

comprising a casing, means whereby circuit feed and supply wires may be extended into l0. A circuit control of the class described said casing, a switch element for controlling the circuit through said wires, fuse support ing members, the fuses of which control the vcircuit through said wires, said fuse supportcover plates on said casing forming enclo,

sures for said fuse supporting members.

11. A circuit control of' the class described comprising a casing, means whereby circuit feed and supply wires may be extended into said casing, a switch element for controlling the circuit through said wires, fuse supportw ing inembers,the fuses of which control the circuit through said Wires, said fuse support ing members comprising cylindrical bodies independently rotatable in the casing and having longitudinal bores exposed through the side edges and outer peripheral surfaces of said members, the arrangement of said members in the casing being such as to expose externally of the casing at least one of said bores, fuse devices adapted to be placed in said bores from the exterior of the casing, spring contacts arranged within the casing and in circuit with said wires and adapted to engage the terminal ends of one of the devices in each supporting member, and a rotatable knob externally of the casing for moving said switch element into open and closed circuit positions.

12. A circuit control of the class described comprising a casing, means whereby circuit feed and supply wires may be extended into said casing, a switch element for controlling.

the circuit through said wires, fuse supporting members, the fuses of which control the circuit through said wires, said fuse supporting members comprising cylindrical bodies independently rotatable in the casing and havinoP longitudinal bores exposed through the si e edges and outer peripheral surface of said members, the arrangement of said members in thecasing being suoli as to expose externally of the casing at least one of said bores, fuse devices adapted to be placed in said bores from the exterior of the casing, spring contacts arranged within the casing and in circuit withsaid wires and adapted to engage the terminal ends of one of the devices in each supporting member, and means cooperating with said switch element and said fuse supporting members for preventing the rotation of said members when said element is in closed circuit position.

18. In a circuit control device of the class described a fuse supporting member comprising a cylindrical body, means whereby said bod may be rotated, a plurality of bores in t e periphery of said body and opening through opposite sides thereof, fuses adapted to be mounted in said bores through either side wall of said body, spring contact devices in circuit with the wires to be controlled by one of the fuses of said member, and means whereby said fuses ma engage the terminal ends of said contact evices.

14. In a circuit control device of the class described, a fuse supporting member comprising a cylindrical body, means whereby said body may be rotated, a plurality of bores in the periphery of said body and opening through opposite sides thereof, fuses adapted to be mounted in said bores through either side wall of said body, spring Contact devices in circuit with the wires to be controlled by one of the fuses of said member, means whereby said fuses may engage the terminal ends of said contact devices, and said fuse supporting member being arranged in a casing tenacia in such manner as to expose at least one of the bores thereof externally of the casing to facilitate the replacement of the fuses eX- ternally of the casing.

15. In a circuit control device of the class described, a fuse supporting member comprising a cylindrical body, means whereby said body may be rotated, a plurality of bores in the periphery of said body and opening through opposite sides thereof, fuses adapted to be mounted in said bores through either side wall of said body, sprin contact devices in circuit with the wires to llie controlled by one of the fuses of said member, means whereby said fuses may engage the terminal ends of said contact devices, said fuse supporting member being arranged in a casing in such manner as to expose at least one of the bores thereof externally of the casing to facilitate the replacement of the fuses externally of the casing, and means movable with respect to said member for controlling the rotation thereof.

16. In a circuit control device of the class described, a fuse supporting member co1n prising a cylindrical body, a casing in which said body is rotated, a plurality of recesses spaced ci-rcumferentially of said body and opening outwardly through the periphery thereof, fuse elements arranged in said recesses and one or more of which are normally projecting through the casing, a contact in said casing and engaging one end of said fuse elements, and another contact engaging the other end portion of said fuse elements whereby the circuit of the wires leading to said contacts will be completed and controlled' by one of the respective fuse elements in said body.

17. In a circuit control device of the class described, a fuse supporting member comprising a cylindrical body, a casing in which said body is rotated, a plurality of recesses spaced circumferentially of said body and opening outwardly through the periphery thereof, fuse elements arranged in said recesses and one or more of which are normally projecting through the casing, a contact in said casing and engaging one end of said fuse elements, another contact engaging the other end portion of said fuse elements whereby the circuit ofthe wires leading to said contacts will be completed and controlled by one of the respective fuse elements in said body, and

one end portion of said'body including a l finger piece arranged outwardly of the casing and by means of' which said body may be rotated with respect to said casing.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name this 27th day of February 1929.

CHARLES DRIEST,

IGH

:Uli 

